Post by Rojji on May 1, 2009 17:52:13 GMT -5
Rojji has no memory of his childhood, except for what was told to him by the monks who took him in after he was orphaned. He was told that his parents were traders from a far-away land called England and while trading in Japan they became very rich. Their acquired wealth garnered them many enemies, for some of the local merchants despised them for taking their business. Though in actuality they were very caring and charitable people who quickly formed friendships with even the most hardened enemies; they even refused business if other merchants are hurting. Regardless, their rivals, in their blind arrogance, determined that they had to go.
The merchants had pooled their money and paid for a group of shady shinobi assassins to kill them. One day while Rojji’s parents were on a trip to visit an orphanage at the local monastery, they were ambushed. If you can find and ask most of the shinobi that took part in this atrocity, they will say that Rojji's father cried for mercy offering his wife in his place. The truth is that Rojji’s father was not a coward, just a pacifist, so he did nothing. According to a shinobi who later surrendered, Rojji’s father was captured without a fight. Even in peril his goodness shown through as he continually told the shinobi to forgive themselves, because they were just doing their jobs. They dragged him into the local merchants guild, along with his wife. Upon his last request Rojji’s father bade farewell to his wife right before she watched his head hit the floor. She then screamed out loud. The shinobi afraid that somebody would hear, promptly dispatched her, then faded into the night, but one person saw them, though he does not remember.
They left only one alive, Rojji, who was asleep in the stagecoach. The shinobi didn’t even notice him, since his dad hid him in a compartment in the seat right before the attack. Later some local farmers were going down the road and they noticed the carriage. When they heard crying so they rushed inside. In the beginning they couldn’t find the source, but after their original perplexion, they rescued baby Rojji. When they found him they immediately reckognized him and searched for his parents. They found them headless in the guild, and knew he would be in danger. So they continued the families journey to the orphanage but there they left Rojji. Some say that Rojji’s parents were fearing an attack and that they were going to take their boy to the orphanage for protection, either way there he grew. At the monestary, the monks asked for the child’s name, they told them, "Rojji", they gave no surname, since it was not safe for him to know where he came from. With that they left the child in the good care of the monks and nuns at St. John’s Monestary.
Rojji spent most of his preteen years under the instruction of the nuns and monks. The nuns taught him academics and music, and the monks taught him religion and writing. Before his eighth birthday he was writing poetry. They discovered that he was very brilliant and adept with his hands, and by the time he was ten he could fix almost anything that was broken at the monastery. He was also finding that he had a knack for medicine, and frequently used his knowledge of first-aid to heal the other kids.
Around this time the merchants caught wind that Rojji was left alive. Furious and scared they immediately went to the assassins that they hired and demanded that they either finish the job, or return their money. It was a very bold move, but rather than kill they cocky merchants, the shinobi decided to kill the boy to maintain their reputation. So they immediately launched an attack on St. John’s.
Rojji was only eleven years old when the monastery was attacked. The monastery was defenseless and everyone was slaughtered, or so the Shinobi thought. Rojji hid in a bush outside with most of the other children and a knight. He was a Hospitaller knight visiting monastery, who was only there by chance to see his sister who was a nun. When the alarm was sounded he attempted to stand and fight to cover everyone’s escape, but the monks that time was short. So they tasked him to take the children and he vowed to protect the children to the death. He held on just long enough, so that warrior monks from the Buddhist Monastery from up the road came down to see what was going on. They found the knight as he fought in the road surrounded by the assassins which he had slain. The monks stepped in and helped the knight fight off the shinobi. Alas before the shinobi retreated the knight was struck in the neck by a poisoned dart. As he lay dying he begged the Buddhists to take the children, to which they agreed.
The monks continued Rojji's academic learning, and even though they didn’t share a religion, the monks did not force their religion on him and the other children. They said that isn't their way and they would let them decide where to put their faith. At the monastery Rojji started studying the militarial arts. He was a weak child so he basically studied the books and played war games with little figures with the other monks; eventually he could best every monk there. They also taught him rudimentary swordsmanship and archery, but they barely focused on this though, forthey believed that a warrior's sharpest blade is his mind and this philosophy helped define his character. Yet over the years Rojji, got increasingly stronger, and balanced out his physical with his mental more each year.
At the age of about fourteen Rojji left the monastery with the monks blessing. For a few months he went around doing odd jobs trying to find his lot in life when one day as he was traveling along a country road he saw a samurai family fighting a group of shinobi. After the battle Rojji was so amazed at their tactics and swordsmanship he begged them to take him in and teach him the way of the samurai. The Daimyo told Rojji that they would take him in as long as he would promise to give his best, but he would not be part of their clan; that would have to earn that priviledge. Rojji said vowed to never give anything less and then asked, "Excuse me sire, but may I ask of your name?" And the Daimyo replied in broken english, "Of course. My name Date Masamune. I know your plight child. I feel for you. It is a tragedy to lose a monastery, we heard of the shinobi’s attack and rode to assist. We were too late to save the monastery but we slayed the retreating shinobi. We searched for you children, but then a Buddhist monk told me that they had taken you in and I was relieved. I trust the buddhists, and the christians were my friends, tis a shame. Here ride on Hanjaru Mishabi's horse. I pray you do not meet the same end as he did."
They rode for three straight hours back to the castle. When they arrived they feasted honoring those who had fallen the day before. They did not weep or mourn, they were actually rejoicing, and most were envious. They lived for an honorable death and they longed for their brethren who found it. Later after the meal Date-dono went to Rojji and said, “In the morning your training begins.” Rojji then went to his quarters to sleep.
...
Rojji woke up with an aching head in a carriage. All he could remember was up to when he met Date Masamune. He also remembered that a paid a wizard to teleport him back to Japan, but obviously the wizard messed up. He arrived in this strange land, and immediately he was attacked by a people called, Jovians. Taken prisoner, he was transported to a strange place called Mittelmarch. Later he was rescued and lived in Kyuden Tatsumura, where he was being trained. Even though he slowly gains memory of his earlier training, most of his techniques cannot be recalled. His only possesion is this strang box with many layers, but no key holes. The first layer is unlocked, but he didn’t open it at first. When he finally opens it he finds three things inside: a katana, a wakizashi, and a tanto. Some of his memory floods back to him in a tsunami that barely gives him time to stagger to his bed. He called out for his roommate, who had been helping Rojji write down his memories. He then lay down and went into a trance-like state, here is what he said:
“I am back in Japan. It is my last my day of training, and I have my final test. To become a full samurai I needed to best every samurai that challenged me in one day. I got to pick my weapon and my opponent’s weapon as well; all of the weapons were wood though, for safety. I had gotten through all of the samurai and I thought I was done. Then Date came over and challenged me. I was surprised and scared. How could I beat a Daimyo? The only way I beat all of the others is that I knew the weapons that they were worst with, but I had not studied the Daimyo as thoroughly. I pulled the last trick up my sleeve, I picked the No-Dachi as his weapon and for mine a wakizashi and tanto combindatiopn. I thought that since his weapon was soo large that my smaller weapon could parry it and then move in for the kill. I was sorely mistaken. He defeated me quickly. I thought all hope was lost, but out of respect I bowed and congratulated him on his victory. Then everyone started patting me on the back. That was my final test! To see how I would take a loss.
Later I bathed and prepared for my ritual induction into the clan. At the ceremony I had to run to the top of the mountain to pick some special herbs and flowers. When returned, I boiled water and made a tea from what I had gathered. The pot was odd though, there were no handles but on two ends of the pot there the emblems of the clan. Then everybody walked in with their daisho's on their hips, then I noticed they all had the logos burned in the butt of their hilts. I was supposed to pick it up with my own strength and my swords! To start the ceremony I went to the Daimyo and knelt. I was then presented with my daisho, which I put on before getting up. Then I was instructed to go to the pot. Then the Daimyo aid aloud, ‘He who thinks that Rojji should not be part of our clan speak now.’ Then one of my rivals raised his hand, ‘Date-dono, everyone here knows and is proud of his lineage, except for Rojji. I submit the idea that before he can become a member, he should go back to his homeland and find the truth about his past.’ There were many calls of agreement from the other brothers. Date then said, ‘Those who agree raise your hand.’ Most raised their hands. ‘Those opposed?’ I saw that only Date and four others raised their hands. He then said, ‘It is decided. I am sorry Rojji, but on request of your peers, you must complete this quest. It will be your final quest, and along the way learn everything you can from others, so that you can bring that knowledge back here.’ I then proceeded to pack up my things.
In the morning I traveled to the port city of Kyoto. I had nothing except my clothes, and I wore my daisho on my hip. I went to every ship trying to find passage to England. On every ship I was laughed at, since I had no money. Then I came to a small ship captained by a Greek outcast. He laughed to, but then he saw the swords on my hip. He then challenged me to a duel, if I won then I would get a free ride to the next port, and if I lose I would have to work for him for a year. I accepted, and he stated that his terms were, any weapons, but they must have scabbards on. One hit is a point. First to three points wins. We commenced the duel on the deck of his ship. He had two shorter swords, one leaf bladed and the other curved forward. The crew gathered round in the battle commenced, I quickly noticed that his swords were very awkward to fight. The battle lasted for hours, commenced in short bursts of a few minutes at a time. In the fifth hour we each were exhausted and had two points each. I was at my breaking point so I did something rash. I climbed up the cargo net. When he followed I threw my katana and wakizashi onto the deck. I then flipped back wards and in one swift motion I drew my sheathed tanto and sliced him in the back. I shouted, ‘THREE!’. Then before I fell into the water I threw my tanto onto the deck of the ship to protect the scabbard from water. When the crew finally hoisted me out of the water, the captain came up to me and said, ‘Greetings, friend, you have bested me. My name is Chiron Alcandor. You are most welcome to ride with us.’ Then I had to ask, ‘Where are you going?’ ‘We are going to…’ That’s all I can remember for now.”
Rojji’s roommate then gave him all that he had written down. The second layer then unlocked. Rojji was too tired to hear it unlock though, so he lay down to go to sleep.
Rojji didn’t remember anything else during his two years at the Kyuden, so he went to Stormhaven to train more, and further his understanding of the world and maybe remember more of how he came to the Land Between the Lands. And that is where he is now. Then he finally looked in the next section of the box. Out he drew a kopis, a unusually large mere club,and a zulu spear. Upon seeing these weapons he fell into another trance where his friend wrote what he said:
"'We are going to Spain! You are most welcome to join us for the whole journey after such a spectacular show!' exclamed the Captian as he patted me on the back still panting from the battle. 'In fact if you promise to train me to fight like that you can have your pick of one of my two swords.' At first I was flabbergasted at such an offer. Spain! Only a few steps from England, well atleast a lot closer than I am now. That will get me that much closer to my parents. Finally I gathered myself and replied, 'I would be glad to teach you, its the least I can do for such a gracious offer. As for the sword, if you truly insist, I would love to have the Kopis. The way it bends forward adds an unique dynamic to the fight that intrigues me.' 'Then you shall have it, and I shall show you how to make use of the bend to your advantage!'.................."
***O.C.*** I will write more but it will be in red I put in in black when I make the items which "triggered" my dreams.
The merchants had pooled their money and paid for a group of shady shinobi assassins to kill them. One day while Rojji’s parents were on a trip to visit an orphanage at the local monastery, they were ambushed. If you can find and ask most of the shinobi that took part in this atrocity, they will say that Rojji's father cried for mercy offering his wife in his place. The truth is that Rojji’s father was not a coward, just a pacifist, so he did nothing. According to a shinobi who later surrendered, Rojji’s father was captured without a fight. Even in peril his goodness shown through as he continually told the shinobi to forgive themselves, because they were just doing their jobs. They dragged him into the local merchants guild, along with his wife. Upon his last request Rojji’s father bade farewell to his wife right before she watched his head hit the floor. She then screamed out loud. The shinobi afraid that somebody would hear, promptly dispatched her, then faded into the night, but one person saw them, though he does not remember.
They left only one alive, Rojji, who was asleep in the stagecoach. The shinobi didn’t even notice him, since his dad hid him in a compartment in the seat right before the attack. Later some local farmers were going down the road and they noticed the carriage. When they heard crying so they rushed inside. In the beginning they couldn’t find the source, but after their original perplexion, they rescued baby Rojji. When they found him they immediately reckognized him and searched for his parents. They found them headless in the guild, and knew he would be in danger. So they continued the families journey to the orphanage but there they left Rojji. Some say that Rojji’s parents were fearing an attack and that they were going to take their boy to the orphanage for protection, either way there he grew. At the monestary, the monks asked for the child’s name, they told them, "Rojji", they gave no surname, since it was not safe for him to know where he came from. With that they left the child in the good care of the monks and nuns at St. John’s Monestary.
Rojji spent most of his preteen years under the instruction of the nuns and monks. The nuns taught him academics and music, and the monks taught him religion and writing. Before his eighth birthday he was writing poetry. They discovered that he was very brilliant and adept with his hands, and by the time he was ten he could fix almost anything that was broken at the monastery. He was also finding that he had a knack for medicine, and frequently used his knowledge of first-aid to heal the other kids.
Around this time the merchants caught wind that Rojji was left alive. Furious and scared they immediately went to the assassins that they hired and demanded that they either finish the job, or return their money. It was a very bold move, but rather than kill they cocky merchants, the shinobi decided to kill the boy to maintain their reputation. So they immediately launched an attack on St. John’s.
Rojji was only eleven years old when the monastery was attacked. The monastery was defenseless and everyone was slaughtered, or so the Shinobi thought. Rojji hid in a bush outside with most of the other children and a knight. He was a Hospitaller knight visiting monastery, who was only there by chance to see his sister who was a nun. When the alarm was sounded he attempted to stand and fight to cover everyone’s escape, but the monks that time was short. So they tasked him to take the children and he vowed to protect the children to the death. He held on just long enough, so that warrior monks from the Buddhist Monastery from up the road came down to see what was going on. They found the knight as he fought in the road surrounded by the assassins which he had slain. The monks stepped in and helped the knight fight off the shinobi. Alas before the shinobi retreated the knight was struck in the neck by a poisoned dart. As he lay dying he begged the Buddhists to take the children, to which they agreed.
The monks continued Rojji's academic learning, and even though they didn’t share a religion, the monks did not force their religion on him and the other children. They said that isn't their way and they would let them decide where to put their faith. At the monastery Rojji started studying the militarial arts. He was a weak child so he basically studied the books and played war games with little figures with the other monks; eventually he could best every monk there. They also taught him rudimentary swordsmanship and archery, but they barely focused on this though, forthey believed that a warrior's sharpest blade is his mind and this philosophy helped define his character. Yet over the years Rojji, got increasingly stronger, and balanced out his physical with his mental more each year.
At the age of about fourteen Rojji left the monastery with the monks blessing. For a few months he went around doing odd jobs trying to find his lot in life when one day as he was traveling along a country road he saw a samurai family fighting a group of shinobi. After the battle Rojji was so amazed at their tactics and swordsmanship he begged them to take him in and teach him the way of the samurai. The Daimyo told Rojji that they would take him in as long as he would promise to give his best, but he would not be part of their clan; that would have to earn that priviledge. Rojji said vowed to never give anything less and then asked, "Excuse me sire, but may I ask of your name?" And the Daimyo replied in broken english, "Of course. My name Date Masamune. I know your plight child. I feel for you. It is a tragedy to lose a monastery, we heard of the shinobi’s attack and rode to assist. We were too late to save the monastery but we slayed the retreating shinobi. We searched for you children, but then a Buddhist monk told me that they had taken you in and I was relieved. I trust the buddhists, and the christians were my friends, tis a shame. Here ride on Hanjaru Mishabi's horse. I pray you do not meet the same end as he did."
They rode for three straight hours back to the castle. When they arrived they feasted honoring those who had fallen the day before. They did not weep or mourn, they were actually rejoicing, and most were envious. They lived for an honorable death and they longed for their brethren who found it. Later after the meal Date-dono went to Rojji and said, “In the morning your training begins.” Rojji then went to his quarters to sleep.
...
Rojji woke up with an aching head in a carriage. All he could remember was up to when he met Date Masamune. He also remembered that a paid a wizard to teleport him back to Japan, but obviously the wizard messed up. He arrived in this strange land, and immediately he was attacked by a people called, Jovians. Taken prisoner, he was transported to a strange place called Mittelmarch. Later he was rescued and lived in Kyuden Tatsumura, where he was being trained. Even though he slowly gains memory of his earlier training, most of his techniques cannot be recalled. His only possesion is this strang box with many layers, but no key holes. The first layer is unlocked, but he didn’t open it at first. When he finally opens it he finds three things inside: a katana, a wakizashi, and a tanto. Some of his memory floods back to him in a tsunami that barely gives him time to stagger to his bed. He called out for his roommate, who had been helping Rojji write down his memories. He then lay down and went into a trance-like state, here is what he said:
“I am back in Japan. It is my last my day of training, and I have my final test. To become a full samurai I needed to best every samurai that challenged me in one day. I got to pick my weapon and my opponent’s weapon as well; all of the weapons were wood though, for safety. I had gotten through all of the samurai and I thought I was done. Then Date came over and challenged me. I was surprised and scared. How could I beat a Daimyo? The only way I beat all of the others is that I knew the weapons that they were worst with, but I had not studied the Daimyo as thoroughly. I pulled the last trick up my sleeve, I picked the No-Dachi as his weapon and for mine a wakizashi and tanto combindatiopn. I thought that since his weapon was soo large that my smaller weapon could parry it and then move in for the kill. I was sorely mistaken. He defeated me quickly. I thought all hope was lost, but out of respect I bowed and congratulated him on his victory. Then everyone started patting me on the back. That was my final test! To see how I would take a loss.
Later I bathed and prepared for my ritual induction into the clan. At the ceremony I had to run to the top of the mountain to pick some special herbs and flowers. When returned, I boiled water and made a tea from what I had gathered. The pot was odd though, there were no handles but on two ends of the pot there the emblems of the clan. Then everybody walked in with their daisho's on their hips, then I noticed they all had the logos burned in the butt of their hilts. I was supposed to pick it up with my own strength and my swords! To start the ceremony I went to the Daimyo and knelt. I was then presented with my daisho, which I put on before getting up. Then I was instructed to go to the pot. Then the Daimyo aid aloud, ‘He who thinks that Rojji should not be part of our clan speak now.’ Then one of my rivals raised his hand, ‘Date-dono, everyone here knows and is proud of his lineage, except for Rojji. I submit the idea that before he can become a member, he should go back to his homeland and find the truth about his past.’ There were many calls of agreement from the other brothers. Date then said, ‘Those who agree raise your hand.’ Most raised their hands. ‘Those opposed?’ I saw that only Date and four others raised their hands. He then said, ‘It is decided. I am sorry Rojji, but on request of your peers, you must complete this quest. It will be your final quest, and along the way learn everything you can from others, so that you can bring that knowledge back here.’ I then proceeded to pack up my things.
In the morning I traveled to the port city of Kyoto. I had nothing except my clothes, and I wore my daisho on my hip. I went to every ship trying to find passage to England. On every ship I was laughed at, since I had no money. Then I came to a small ship captained by a Greek outcast. He laughed to, but then he saw the swords on my hip. He then challenged me to a duel, if I won then I would get a free ride to the next port, and if I lose I would have to work for him for a year. I accepted, and he stated that his terms were, any weapons, but they must have scabbards on. One hit is a point. First to three points wins. We commenced the duel on the deck of his ship. He had two shorter swords, one leaf bladed and the other curved forward. The crew gathered round in the battle commenced, I quickly noticed that his swords were very awkward to fight. The battle lasted for hours, commenced in short bursts of a few minutes at a time. In the fifth hour we each were exhausted and had two points each. I was at my breaking point so I did something rash. I climbed up the cargo net. When he followed I threw my katana and wakizashi onto the deck. I then flipped back wards and in one swift motion I drew my sheathed tanto and sliced him in the back. I shouted, ‘THREE!’. Then before I fell into the water I threw my tanto onto the deck of the ship to protect the scabbard from water. When the crew finally hoisted me out of the water, the captain came up to me and said, ‘Greetings, friend, you have bested me. My name is Chiron Alcandor. You are most welcome to ride with us.’ Then I had to ask, ‘Where are you going?’ ‘We are going to…’ That’s all I can remember for now.”
Rojji’s roommate then gave him all that he had written down. The second layer then unlocked. Rojji was too tired to hear it unlock though, so he lay down to go to sleep.
Rojji didn’t remember anything else during his two years at the Kyuden, so he went to Stormhaven to train more, and further his understanding of the world and maybe remember more of how he came to the Land Between the Lands. And that is where he is now. Then he finally looked in the next section of the box. Out he drew a kopis, a unusually large mere club,and a zulu spear. Upon seeing these weapons he fell into another trance where his friend wrote what he said:
"'We are going to Spain! You are most welcome to join us for the whole journey after such a spectacular show!' exclamed the Captian as he patted me on the back still panting from the battle. 'In fact if you promise to train me to fight like that you can have your pick of one of my two swords.' At first I was flabbergasted at such an offer. Spain! Only a few steps from England, well atleast a lot closer than I am now. That will get me that much closer to my parents. Finally I gathered myself and replied, 'I would be glad to teach you, its the least I can do for such a gracious offer. As for the sword, if you truly insist, I would love to have the Kopis. The way it bends forward adds an unique dynamic to the fight that intrigues me.' 'Then you shall have it, and I shall show you how to make use of the bend to your advantage!'.................."
***O.C.*** I will write more but it will be in red I put in in black when I make the items which "triggered" my dreams.